The Writer's Digest Sourcebook for Building Believable Characters
Marc McCutcheon
Writer's Digest Books
Nonfiction, Writing
*****
Description
Why do some authors' creations leap to life off the pages, and others remain forgettable puppets of the plot? What is it that makes us care about, hate, love, or feel we know people who only exist in a fictitious world? It's the characterization: how the author goes about making that person (or animal, or thing) real, and conveying it to us readers. This book contains hints, tips and exercises for would-be writers to help them make their characters memorable... and it explains why memorable characters make for far better stories.
Review
Like The Writer's Complete Fantasy Reference (reviewed elsewhere), one reading doesn't do this book justice. After repeated skimming and paging and thought, the true value of these Writer's Digest books really comes through. This makes an excellent aid to wannabe authors like me (even if I've yet to actually implement any of the suggestions.)